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New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

Free Premier League Predictions 15th September

Bournemouth V Everton – Draw

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side have a win, a draw, and two defeats to their name so far this season. The two defeats have come at home to Man City, and away at Leicester, so it’s hard to criticise them for that.

Hard to know what to expect from the Cherries, and the same can be said for Everton on the road. At Goodison, form is consistent. Away, they are unpredictable.

So far this season, Everton have won both home matches, and drawn away at Crystal Palace, and lost pretty convincingly at Villa Park.

This one almost comes down to whom I mistrust the least. I can’t rely on Bournemouth, and I can’t trust Everton away. As is generally the case in the Premier League, it isn’t easy to win away, so for these reasons I’m going with the draw here.

Watford V Arsenal – Away Win

Will Watford get the immediate new manager bounce, with Quique Flores returning to the club, to replace the sacked Javi Gracia.

Arsenal already have a win on the road under their belts this season, having won 1-0 at Newcastle on the opening weekend.

Watford are anchored to the bottom of the table with just 1 point from 4 matches. Have to go with the Gunners on this one, especially with them being price up at around Even money, and better.

Vicarage Road sees Watford host Arsenal on 15th September, the match is one of our many free Premier League predictions.

Football Gambler

Football Betting Predictions – here at Football Gambler we offer weekly free football betting predictions, including free Premier League predictions.

We also cover the Champions League, World Cup, European Championships, and international qualifiers.

Believe it or not, there are football betting systems that do profit over time. And they aren’t necessarily what or how you would expect.

Women’s Football Betting – the women’s game is booming, and here at Football Gambler we see it as an exciting new betting market place.

We will bring you football betting predictions on the Women’s Super League, and Women’s Champions League. And every 4 years, we have the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Spread Betting Explained – ever thought about betting on football – and sports in general – in a different way? Well, football spread betting could be your alternative, and it works on other sports as well.

We have a spread betting explained page that gives you all the help and advice you need for spread betting. Enabling you to get started with spread betting on the Premier League.

Best Football Betting Sites – a good football betting website has to offer more than just odds on weekend matches. So these days good football betting sites have to improvise and work harder to keep existing customers.

This means the best betting sites need to have competitive offers for existing customers. These offers need to include enhanced odds, and money back specials on big matches.

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

The Premier League returns today after the first international break of the season, and Liverpool at home to Newcastle kicks off our free predictions for Saturday 14th September.

There can be a lethargic feel to Premier League fixtures after international breaks. Some players have had arduous trips across the globe and back, with some arriving back at their respective clubs late in the week, and probably a bit the worse for wear come the weekend.

Let’s hope that’s not the case, and we get plenty of exciting action across the weekend. There is 7 fixtures on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, with a Monday night match between Aston Villa and West Ham completing the weeekend. Here is our free Premier League predictions for Saturday.

Best Betting Sites

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

Free Premier League Predictions 14th September

Liverpool V Newcastle – Home Win

Hard to make a case for Newcastle, but I probably said the same thing when they travelled to the new White Hart Lane a few weeks back.

The early fixture after an international break can sometimes be drab affairs after players travelling long distances.

I still expect a home win for the Reds, but it could be closer than we think.

Liverpool host Newcastle at Anfield in the opening match of the weekend, and they are the first of our free premier league betting predictions for 14th September

Brighton V Burnley – Draw

Both these two teams have made solid starts to the season, with 4 points each from 4 games.

Brighton are still trying to get used to their adapted playing style under new Head Coach, Graham Potter, while we all know what we are going to get from Sean Dyche and Burnley.

The Clarets are hard to beat, and Brighton are still finding their way, so I’m going to go with the draw on this one.

Man Utd V Leicester – Draw

Another one of these close to call matches. In theory it should be a home win, but which United will turn up? They were inspirational against Chelsea in the opening match of the season, but the Blues turned up to play and left gaps for United to expose.

When United faced Palace, a side that were prepared to sit back and defend, they struggled. Brendan Rodger’s won’t have failed to notice this, and I can see his Leicester side causing United problems today. Going for the draw in this one.

Sheff Utd V Southampton – Home Win

5 points from 4 matches is a decent start to the season for the Blades. They’ve had a mixture of results, with a home defeat to Leicester sandwiched in between a win over Crystal Palace, and a credible draw away at Chelsea.

The Saints have had a similar start. After a couple of defeats in their first 2 matches, they have now picked up 4 points from their last 2 matches – a 2-0 win over Brighton and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. I expect a tight match here, and am going for a closely fought 1-0 win for the Blades.

Tottenham V Crystal Palace – Home Win

Both these sides have had up and down starts to the season, meaning form is fairly unpredictable. In their last outing Spurs – arguably – chucked away a 2 goal lead at the Emirates, which followed on from a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle.

For all the doom and gloom surrounding Palace after their opening 2 matches, they now sit 4th in the table following wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Can’t see Palace winning here, so it’s between a home win and a draw for me. I’m coming down slightly on the side of home win.

Wolves V Chelsea – Draw

This looks a great fixture on paper, and would probably have made a decent live TV match. No doubt it will be a drab 0-0 draw after that prediction.

Anyway, a really hard one to predict. Wolves tend to do well against the big sides, and Chelsea look to have the beating of anyone of their day. This one could go either way, so I’m going for a scoring draw.

Norwich V Man City – Away Win

When it comes to Man City and Liverpool matches, it’s a bit of a procession when it comes to predictions. It’s pretty easy to predict a City win, but for 95% of the matches in the Premier League involving Pep’s team, how can you not.

For sure, they will slip up from time to time, but apart from when City and Liverpool play each other, it’s hard to predict anything other than wins for the big 2.

All I can predict for this one is a Man City win. I expect Norwich to take the match to Man City, so there could be a lot of goals in this one. Don’t rule out over 5.5 goals in this one, or a high scoring overs bet coming in.

Football Gambler

Football Betting Predictions – here at Football Gambler we offer weekly free football betting predictions, including free Premier League predictions.

We also cover the Champions League, World Cup, European Championships, and international qualifiers.

Believe it or not, there are football betting systems that do profit over time. And they aren’t necessarily what or how you would expect.

Women’s Football Betting – the women’s game is booming, and here at Football Gambler we see it as an exciting new betting market place.

We will bring you football betting predictions on the Women’s Super League, and Women’s Champions League. And every 4 years, we have the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Spread Betting Explained – ever thought about betting on football – and sports in general – in a different way? Well, football spread betting could be your alternative, and it works on other sports as well.

We have a spread betting explained page that gives you all the help and advice you need for spread betting. Enabling you to get started with spread betting on the Premier League.

Best Football Betting Sites – a good football betting website has to offer more than just odds on weekend matches. So these days good football betting sites have to improvise and work harder to keep existing customers.

This means the best betting sites need to have competitive offers for existing customers. These offers need to include enhanced odds, and money back specials on big matches.

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

Football Betting Predictions: West Ham host Champions Man City at the London Stadium, in what promises to be a interesting start to the season for Pep’s Manchester City team.

The corresponding fixture for the last two seasons has seen City winning 4-0 and 4-1. Despite this, I believe that as an opening fixture, this match will provide a stern test for City.

The Hammers will be full of optimism for the new season. They have signed Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt as a replacement for Marko Arnautovic – a change that might prove to be better for team harmony, if nothing else.

Another new addition is Pablo Fornals, who was signed from Villareal, and is another exciting attacking option, that the West Ham fans will be excited to see in action.

In short, I expect there to be a positive attitude from the fans at the London Stadium today, and it could well be a good yard stick to judge City on for the upcoming season.

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City have just announced that David Silva as the new club captain, in the wake of Vincent Kompany’s departure for Anderlecht. Pep only made two major summer signing, João Cancelo from Juventus (in a swap for Danilo), and Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (who will be known more simply as just Rodri or Rodrigo).

Cancelo is an interesting signing, as he predominately plays in the same position as Kyle Walker. Guardiola has made no secret of his belief that attacking full backs are an important part of his footballing philosophy, and spending another £60 Million on a full back not guaranteed a first team start, further underlines this fact.

Rodri on the other hand is more of a defensive midfielder, and is reported (in the media at least) to be the heir apparent to the ageing Fernandinho (who was 34 last May).

Can City’s new signing make an immediate impact on the Premier League?

Rodri is just 23 years of age, and it will be interesting to see if he immediately steps into the Brazilian’s shoes, or if it is a gradual changeover.

West Ham V Man City Betting Odds

Man City – 1/4
Draw – 6/1
West Ham 23/2

For the first match of the season and with a bit of the unknowns, City at 1/4 is very short. Yes, they could well go there and win 4 or 5-0, and that would be no surprise. Is it real value away from home in the first match of the season, against a side that could well be pushing for the top 8 this season?

I’m not sure it is, waiting a bit for an in-running bet might be more worthwhile. If City score early on, that opportunity will obviously be gone, but that’s the risk you take.

West Ham at effectively eleven and a half to one, look slightly too long to me. I still couldn’t back it though, as I don’t truly see the Hammers winning. The draw could be an interesting shout at 6/1 though.

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

West Ham V Man City – Football Betting Predictions

– Match Outcome – I’m going for a draw today, as I think it is a good outside punt at 6/1. Yes, City could be 3 up at half time, but I can’t back them to win at 1/4, so I’m going for a small stakes bet on the draw at 6/1.– Value Tip – Assuming all goes wrong with my match outcome tip and City do run away with it, I think 19/10 on City to score 2 or more in the fist half with Coral doesn’t look a bad bet.

West Ham are a bit of an unknown quantity with a couple of decent new signings. With City at just 1/4, the draw at 6/1 looks better value.

City could well run away with things if normal service resumes. So City to score 1.5 Goals or over in first half, or 2.5 Goals or over, could be a good value side bet.

Football Betting Predictions: The Premier League is back this weekend, and last season’s runners up and European champions Liverpool get proceedings under way at home to Norwich.

This will be the Reds first home league fixture since becoming European champions, and it is a daunting task facing new boys Norwich, who could hardly have landed a more difficult fixture first up on their return to the top flight.

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Liverpool haven’t made any major signings over the summer, and have let go the likes of Daniel Sturridge. Without Sturridge, the likes of Divock Origi will get more game time, and Klopp will be expecting to see his Belgian striker pushing the front three this season for a starting space.

There is clearly strength in depth in the Liverpool squad, and manager Jurgen Klopp will be looking at the return of players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as new signings.

Liverpool also have players of the calibre of Naby Keïta, who only joined last season, but didn’t have a massive impact – and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returning from injury, to call upon.

If players like Keïta and Oxlade-Chamberlain can do a job for Liverpool this season, Klopp might well claim that he was justified in not spending big to strengthen his squad.

Can Naby Keita take the Premier League by storm this season?

For their part, Norwich are still using the bulk of the players that got them up last season. Manager Daniel Farke wants to show faith in the majority of the players that got him up. There was a strong emphasis at Norwich on attacking play last season, with 93 goals scored.

At the same time, the Canaries also conceded 57 goals in the Championship. It’s hard to see with a defensive record like that how Norwich can stay up. It’s also a sign that Liverpool might put the Premier League new boys to the sword at Anfield on Friday.

Liverpool V Norwich Betting

Obviously the odds on a Liverpool win are very short. Klopp’s men are just 2/13 to get their campaign off to a winning start. The draw – arguably Norwich’s best chance of getting something – is 9/1, with a win for the visitors coming in at a massive looking 22/1.

New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply. For full terms and conditions, please see the Betfair website for further details.

Liverpool V Norwich – Football Betting Predictions

– Match Outcome – Can’t see anything other than a Liverpool win at 2/13.– Value Tip – For a bit of value, over 3.5 goals is Even money. This game has a look of 3-1 about it.

Liverpool were unbeaten at Anfield in the league last season, winning 17, and drawing 2. The Red’s home ground has become a fortress, and it’s nearly impossible to see Norwich breach this.

Norwich conceded 57 goals in last season’s Championship, meaning that goals are likely for Liverpool.

Romelu Lukaku could be nearing an exit from Old Trafford, with Italian Serie A side Inter desperate to sign him.

Lukaku, who is understood to be ready to leave Manchester United after falling down the pecking order last season, has long been admired by new Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte and the striker’s feelings seem to be mutual, given that he rates the former Juventus and Chelsea boss as the best manager in the world.

Conte wanted the Belgian at Chelsea after winning the Premier League title but was frustrated by the Blues’ failure to land him as United managed to slip past them and make the signing themselves. He was made to settle for Alvaro Morata, who looked a brilliant acquisition at first but fell way short of expectations before being loaned to Atletico Madrid.

It appears that Conte could finally get his man. Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello recently revealed that Inter have indeed laid the groundwork for the striker’s transfer. “Yes [Inter are trying to sign Lukaku],” he told FC Inter News this week. “He’s publicly expressed his plans and desires. We’ll see what happens.

Lukaku only managed 14 goals from his 45 appearances last season and is clearly unhappy with the current state of affairs at the club. United, in turn, appear to be heading nowhere this summer and are likely to lose Paul Pogba, who has attracted attention from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Of course, the Red Devils should not stand in Lukaku’s way if he has his mind set on leaving. His goal production probably won’t improve if he stays and the team would be better off buying another striker than keeping a disgruntled player.

According to reports, Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder has popped up on the club’s radar and they are considering a move for the Frenchman. Barcelona are also reported as being interested in the forward, who has netted 38 times in 91 league appearances for the Spanish side.

The 28-year-old could provide a reasonable goal threat for the Manchester club if he does join them this summer. An 18-goal return plus nine assists in 35 league appearances is nothing to shirk at, and they’d likely get him on the cheap.

United are in desperate need of a boost, having failed to conquer the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. The upcoming season just doesn’t seem like it will be their year, and the 2019/20 betting odds reflect that, but who knows?

The Red Devis are 47/1 to win the Premier League title next term with Betfair but Bet365 have them at 25/1. Bet Victor has odds of 5/6 on a top-four finish for the Old Trafford side, while they’re also 5/6 to finish outside of it with the aforementioned bookies. And you could find the best free bet no deposit offers for 2019 at Freebets if you’re looking to make some money during and at the end of the upcoming season.

United’s rivals Manchester City are back-to-back Premiership champions and remain the favorites to capture the crown again in the upcoming campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side are 8/13 to finish top of the table in 2019/20, with Liverpool the second favorites. Bet365 is offering 9/4 odds on the Champions League holders following their European triumph up with what would be their first Premier League title.

Meanwhile, United are 5/1 to succeed Chelsea as Europa League champions following the Blues’ victory over Arsenal in Baku last month. But a random team dropping from the Champions League remains the favorites at 3/1.

If you are a football fanatic chances are that you’ll have some favourite teams. However, it can be slightly tricky when it comes to betting on your own. So, how do you back your team and place your bet on platforms like Betway ,the right way?

In this guide, we have listed some practical strategies to have an advantage against the bookmakers when placing your bets on Betway.

How to Bet on Your Own Team?

It does not matter which team you like, the bookmakers will have stacks of available pre-match betting markets, and you will have some in-play punting opportunities. They might have a good form with no injuries whatsoever and might be against someone where they can easily score 3 points.

You can add them to an accumulator. An accumulator is generally used to boost their odds. However, one must remember that they come with a lot of risks. There are plenty of ways to find a way to approach a football accumulator and make them work for you. You need to devise a flexible strategy on Betway to make it work.

Some practical tips include:

● Do what you know already –

Choose a market with which you seem comfortable enough to understand its dynamics. It doesn’t matter if it is not the most picked option or popular in any sense. Some people may bet on low-risk markets to boost their multiples while other betters may choose to bet on long shots to build
odds.

If you are a beginner, you should altogether avoid the temptation to place a bet on outsiders where you’d find appealing odds, but your winning chances will be very low.

● Avoid Low and High-Risk Bets

If you are placing low-risk bets, i.e. low wins or high-risk bets, i.e. expecting bigger wins on a single match, it is good. However, accumulators are very different from this. Keep in mind that they have different variables.

● Draw No Bet Market

In the weeks when you are not 100% sure of positive results to build an accumulator, use the “draw no bet” market strategy and build your accumulator around it. This will mean that when your team draws the match and the bet comes as void, and the stakes will move over to the matches that are remaining like a smaller accumulator. This will turn out to be a better alternative than to lose on the lot.

● Both Teams to Score Market

If you want to receive bigger odds, you can try out a different market to the outright winner during the problematic weeks when you can’t predict. The both teams to score market will always be a wise choice. This will work in your favour when the top scoring teams of the leagues will face-off against each other during that very weekend. Boost your odds even more by
building your betting on the first team to score or the first player to score.
While you do all the betting remember that there is no single strategy for success. You will continue to learn while you bet. Keep your records updated at all times.

Tottenham play maker Christian Eriksen has just over 12 months left on his current contract, and focus will turn to his next club betting if the situation isn’t resolved over the summer.

At the moment, Betvictor are offering 2/1 that Eriksen’s next club at the start of next season will be a Spanish one. They also quote Chelsea at 4/1, Manchester United at 4/1, Liverpool 12/1, and any French club are also 12/1 (yes, PSG).

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Eriksen Has Just 12 Months Left On His Contract

The Dane has been pivotal to Spurs’ recent success

The decision Christian Eriksen makes will probably be the biggest of his career, does he stay put, or does he find a new club?

He does currently hold all the aces. With just 12 months left on his contract at the end of this season, Spurs know they will have no option but to sell him if he doesn’t sign a new deal.

Meaning he either gets his move, or the London club give him a massive wage rise.

The Dane has been a pivotal part of Tottenham Hotspur’s success over the past few years. Losing him would be bad news.

While to Daniel Levy, losing him for nothing would be the stuff of nightmares.

Under a decent length contract, and at a club that doesn’t need to sell, Eriksen would be worth well over £100 Million.

With just 12 months left on his contract though, that price diminishes. Already, Spurs are looking at having to sell Eriksen at below market value. After the summer transfer window, that value diminishes even further.

Hard Bargainer Levy, Will Look After Spurs’ Interest

Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy will want to maximise any return on one of his most prized assets.

So it’s highly unlikely he will let Eriksen start the new season at Spurs, without having signed a new contract.

Eriksen would be free to sign a pre contract agreement with a European club (from the start of January 2020) ahead of the winter transfer window.

With the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona interested, that would represent too much of a risk for Levy to consider.

He wouldn’t want a similar situation happening at Spurs, to the one Arsenal have found themselves in with Aaron Ramsey. If the current impasse continues, it’s hard to see Eriksen still at the club next season.

Chairman Daniel Levy will no doubt be fighting for Spurs’ interests

Could A Champions League Win Persuade Eriksen To Stay?

A win in the Champions League, and a top 4 finish in this season’s Premier League would surely help Tottenham’s cause.

If Eriksen is in two minds, Champions League football next season might persuade him.

That said, Champions League football would be considered a given to Eriksen, not a bonus.

A Champions League winners medal could change everything. If that where to happen, it would propel Spurs into the big time.

It would also increase the possibility of Spurs breaking the bank and paying their top stars the sort of wages they would expect at the likes of the two Manchester clubs, PSG, and the two Spanish giants.

Has The Time Come For Eriksen To Move On

There is also the possibility that Eriksen simply wants to move on. It looks like he can choose his club, and he might like the thought of playing for Madrid or Barcelona.

He is 27 now, and entering what should be the best years of his career. He might be of the opinion that now is the time to move on, and no matter what Spurs do, it won’t persuade him to stay.

The Manchester Derby did little to give Manchester United fans much optimism for next season, and it also didn’t show any potential sign to resolving the conundrum that is Paul Pogba.

What the 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City did confirm on Wednesday, is the gulf in class between the two sides, and the size of the potential rebuilding job facing manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Before he entertains the rebuilding though, he needs to address the enigmatic Paul Pogba. The Frenchman should be the pillar Solskjaer is looking to build his side around, so he must be the first name on the list of problems to solve for the United manager.

Rumours are rife the Frenchman wants out. Some of the best best football betting sites have him as short as 6/4 to be a Real Madrid player after the summer transfer window.

Stick Or Twist?

Pogba has previously been rumoured to want to leave Old Trafford. Part of his original problems with previous manager Jose Mourinho seemed to start when there were stories linking the Frenchman with a move away from Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has been at the club for long enough now to have worked out whether he believes Pogba really wants to be there. It’s unlikely the crowd would have a problem if Ole dumped the Frenchman, they don’t seem to be convinced he wants to be there.

Sporadic boos could be heard at times in the 2nd half of the Manchester Derby when the Frenchman had the ball. Yes, this could possibly have been City fans, but chances are they were from the United end.

It’s also a strong possibility that Sir Alex Ferguson would be advising Solskjaer to get rid of him. Fergie has dumped him before, and it is well known that Solskjaer listens to Ferguson’s advice.

Should Ole stick with Pogba, or show him the door?

Pogba’s Premier League Stats Are Positive

On the flip side, with 3 matches to go in the 2019 Premier League season, Pogba has 13 goals and 9 assists. Paul Pogba has the most Premier League goals of any midfielder this season, his stats only add to the conundrum.

His peers have just named him in the PFA team of the year, the only player from outside of Manchester City and Liverpool to make the 11. He must be doing something right. Although I would have – wrongly – predicted it wouldn’t have been one of the best football bets to place.

It’s fair to say Pogba’s inclusion in the team of the year has raised an eyebrow or two though.

World Cup Winner

Pogba played a massive part in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph. How could you dump a guy with that pedigree? Does this prove theory that he only plays when it suits him? Or is it a case of waiting for a player of unquestionable talent to come good?

When Pogba is on song, he is a world beater. United fans could count the world beating performances he has produced on one hand though.

A player of his character and ability should be grabbing this team by the scruff of the neck. He should be leading his team mates, pulling them along with him. I’m not sure this has ever happened.

Even the remarkable 3-1 win in Paris reflected badly on the Frenchman. It could have been his crowning glory, but he was suspended after picking up a stupid red card in the 1st leg.

Propensity To Down Tools

It’s a hard one to prove, and no one really knows other than the player. But there is a theory that Pogba has the propensity to down tools. In itself, not a great selling point for any player.

The difference in performances after previous boss Jose Mourinho was sacked was staggering. He looked like a new player under Solskjaer. Now since an international break, his performance levels seem to have dropped off again.

The international break seemed to coincide with stories linking him away from Old Trafford, again. Do these stories have credence, or are they simply journalists trying to create a story off the back of some indifferent performances?

Weighing up the pros and cons of Paul Pogba is a hard call, it’s not difficult to see why this conundrum is one that might be giving Solskjaer sleepless nights.

I do get the feeling it’s a decision Ole can’t afford to get wrong though. Otherwise his managerial career at Old Trafford, may well follow a similar route to that of his predecessor.

We are at the halfway point of the Champions League quarter-finals and there were plenty of talking points in all four games, with VAR very much at the forefront of proceedings. Games are still in the balance, with very few goals in it; but taking a look at Champions League winner odds, Barcelona at 5/2 are the favourites to win the competition outright. Ahead of the second leg ties next week, let’s take a look at how our quarter-finalists got on.

Liverpool 2-0 Porto

Liverpool are well in command of their quarter-final against Porto and go to the Estádio do Dragão with a two-goal advantage. It took just five minutes for the Reds to go ahead in this one, with Naby Keita calming any nerves the Anfield faithful may have been feeling. Roberto Firmino then tapped home the second on 26 minutes, following some brilliant play by Jordan Henderson to pick-out Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Porto go into the second leg without that much-needed away goal, but they did create chances – Mousa Marega failing to convert the best of them, with Alisson between the sticks denying him on the half hour mark, before the Malian failed to connect with a volley from just eight yards out.

VAR was needed when a save from the Liverpool keeper was alleged to have hit Alexander-Arnold on the arm. But after the incident was reviewed, the referee awarded Porto a corner, rather than a penalty. It was used again in the second-half, after Mohamed Salah went in hard and high on Danilo Pereira, but the review was inconclusive and no foul was given.

Luck certainly wasn’t on Porto’s side and in 20 attempts, the Portuguese side have never won away at English opponents. They have it all to do in the second leg.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester City

Manchester City may have been favourites going into the clash, but Tottenham Hotspur at their shiny new stadium were worthy winners of this close encounter.

There was controversy again when the referee turned to VAR to find out the outcome of a dubious handball. Danny Rose was judged to have handled Raheem Sterling’s shot in the box after 10 minutes. None of the visiting players appeared to protest, but the penalty was awarded after the referee reviewed the footage – with Sergio Aguero’s spot-kick lacking any power and easily saved by Hugo Lloris. The Citizens were left to rue that miss, when 12 minutes from time, Son Heung-min’s low strike eluded Ederson.

But Spurs will have to go into their second leg – and potentially, the rest of the Premier League season – without star-man Harry Kane, who injured his ankle following a clash with Fabien Delph. He left the field to be replaced by Lucas Moura and was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches, while wearing a protective boot. City may not have got their away goal, but Kane’s absence could well be the difference between Spurs progressing and City dominating the second leg at the Etihad.

Ajax 1-1 Juventus

Ajax may have been on top in their clash against the current Italian champions, but they had to come from behind to secure a draw to set up a tasty second leg in Turin.

Cristiano Ronaldo got Juventus’ away goal and also cemented his position as all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 125 goals, when he connected to João Cancelo’s cross with a diving header on the stroke of half time. The goal was against the run of play but Ajax came back out for the second-half in the same spirits and got their much-deserved goal straight after the restart – with David Neres’ curling effort from 15 yards hitting the back of the net.

Ajax can’t feel disheartened though, they were great in possession, with 61% of the ball and the shots rained in on Wojciech Szczesny’s goal (six on target and 19 overall). They will also remember their heroics in the last round, where they lost at home in the first leg of their round of 16 match against Real Madrid 2-1, but went on to win resoundingly 4-1 at the Bernabeu. A similarly big performance is needed again, to set-up a semi-final against the winners of the all-English tie.

Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona

VAR reared its farcical head at Old Trafford where Barcelona won by a solitary goal. Barça certainly weren’t at their best here and by his own usual high standards, Lionel Messi was quiet. But the breakthrough was made on 12 minutes. The Argentine set-up Luis Suarez and his far-post header deflected off United defender Luke Shaw. Having initially been given as offside, VAR confirmed the goal.

Like Ajax, the Red Devils will need to pull it out of the bag and provide a performance similar to their win over Paris Saint-Germain. They managed to overturn their first leg 2-0 defeat with a 3-1 win in Paris and will need to do the same here, this time in Catalunya. But they’ll need to register a shot on target, more than the managed midweek.

We love the beautiful game. We’re a nation that plays football, watches football and spends a lot of money on football-related products. And don’t think that just means kits, season tickets and sports equipment. Take a quick browse at the merchandise on sale in club shops these days and you’ll realise football fans are guilty of snapping up some pretty strange stuff. But what are the weirdest football products we’ve come across?

Underwear has to be up there. Fans of the Red Devils can purchase pants in the official Man United Store. And over in the Spurs Shops, you can choose from a whole section of lingerie. Buy matching bras, knickers and garters sporting the Tottenham Hotspurs crest.

But believe it or not, club lingerie isn’t the strangest (or cheekiest) thing we seen. Another surprising product aimed at football fans is Benchwarmer Football Girls. It’s an online slot machine that lets you stake bets alongside some scantily-clad soccer babes. It’s available to play at most casino sites, including bgo slots, for as little as a penny a spin.

You can check out more strange products aimed at football fans in our list below. Let us know what you think of them and if you’d got anything you’d like to add.

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